Sanctions against Russia risk becoming a symbolic measure rather than a real deterrent unless the West ensures that violations lead to investigations, prosecutions and serious
Although EU sanctions have already cost Russia significant losses, for the sanctions regime to become an effective mechanism of real punishment, the European Union needs
Strengthening the role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office could become part of a more consistent EU response to sanctions circumvention, especially in cross-border cases.
Sanctions against Russia remain a powerful instrument of long-term pressure, but their effectiveness is increasingly undermined by the weakening of international law, unilateral political decisions
The effectiveness of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus depends not only on the restrictive measures themselves, but also on their practical enforcement, including criminal
For real punishment for sanctions violations, the EU must ensure more consistent enforcement, under which serious violations lead to criminal cases. This was stated in
EU sanctions are already inflicting serious damage on Russia; however, for violations of the sanctions regime to genuinely lead to real punishment, the European Union
Sanctions evasion must be treated in the EU as a criminal offense, not as a secondary violation. EU member states need to fully implement the
Expanding the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to include cases involving violations of sanctions against Russia and Belarus could become an important part
The central weakness of the European Union’s sanctions policy against Russia lies not only in inconsistent enforcement, but in the absence of sufficiently broad political